George Gongora/Special to the Caller-Times
Norma Tamez reserves a spot for her family Friday along Leopard Street.

CORPUS CHRISTI - As the clock struck 5 p.m. Friday, makeshift campsites sprang to life along Leopard Street, bustling with young and old anticipating one of the biggest weekends of the year — the Buc Days Toyota Illuminated Night Parade.

At the corner of Leopard and Mexico Street, the Flores and Perez families posted their neon pink sign for the 14th time. The worn marker is an annual badge of honor that has seen better days but remains part of a thriving tradition — one that 12-year-old Lydia Flores promises she will continue with her children.

Juan Vallejo said he and his family have camped out for the parade for the past 25 years. He said he doesn’t mind the wait and effort it takes to claim a spot.

“All of the effort that the kids and people put into the parade — it’s worth it,” Vallejo said. “And when our kids grow up, they can do the same for their kids as well.”

The Buc Days Commission expects about 145,000 spectators to line the parade route Saturday, with the big show beginning at 8 p.m. Approximately 3,428 participants will march in bands, ride on illuminated floats or represent schools or businesses in the event, officials said.

Rodolfo Garza, 21, who was busy Friday evening turning jalapeño poppers on the grill, said he and his family have celebrated the parade for 20 years. Garza marched in the parade for four years with the Miller High School marching band.

He played the bass drum in the drum line, which meant breaks along the route were rare.

“By the end of the night my arms would be so sore,” Garza said. “Not going to lie, being in the parade was more fun, but I don’t mind manning the BBQ pit either.”

Abraham Salazar and his family and friends go all out and use private property at MTS Threaded Products to have a barbecue cookout. Salazar said because it’s his friend’s business, he arrived in front of the building at noon to start up the pit for what he calls the Buc Days pre-party.

“It’s a huge production — we haveSkid-O-Kans, generators, lights, hammocks and even a TV on its way,” Salazar said.

A couple of blocks down, the Flores and Perez families rented three lots from the Salvation Army to throw a party for their family and friends from Kostoryz Elementary School. Family patriarch Fructuoso Flores arrived at their rented lot to put up that pink sign at 8 a.m. and he put the chairs on the sidewalk right at 5 p.m.

The families said their part of the parade involves footwear — or lack thereof.

“We yell out to them (Las Doñas duchesses) to lift up their dresses and show us their shoes,” said Alex Perez, 20. “It’s funny because sometimes they are barefoot or only wearing house slippers under those fancy dresses.”